Praise for Hutton inquiry openness is watered down

An interesting debate about the role of FOI is taking place inside Government:

Guardian 22nd Dec.

David Hencke writes: "The Cabinet Office has altered an official report to disguise the extent to which the Hutton inquiry has encouraged open government.....The report initially highlighted the importance of Lord Hutton's unprecedented release of confidential documents during his inquiry into the death of David Kelly. But it was redrafted before publication to remove positive references to Hutton as an example of good practice......It is understood that Lord Falconer went as far as arguing that the government should make a dramatic gesture by announcing changes to the yet unimplemented Freedom of Information Act by abolishing the ministerial veto to stop publication as a last resort "

No sign of the report mentioned anywhere yet, I've emailed the Cabinet Office for publication details, will post more information when I get it.

Merry Xmas to all Blog readers. First edition of the monthly newsletter will appear in the new year

Steve